Tom Eastin

The regular board meeting commenced with procedural discussions regarding multiple directors attending remotely under standard and expanded teleconference procedures. Following the pledge of allegiance, the public comments period was opened and closed, with specific instructions provided regarding when a particular agenda item would receive public testimony. The board proceeded to approve the consent agenda items (5A through 5D) with a unanimous vote. The agenda was subsequently reordered to address Item 11A, the election of one regular special district representative to LAFCO, which involved significant discussion concerning water policy, latent powers, and the qualifications of candidates Jonathan Amadi and Maryanne Leel, ultimately resulting in the selection of Jonathan Amadi. Following this, the financial report for January 2026 was presented, detailing a net income favorable to budget primarily due to operating expense savings, despite revenue shortfalls caused by lower volume and reduced power generation. Discussion on the financial report included positive acknowledgement of the scheduled $500,000 payment towards the $18 million Calpers unfunded liability.

The meeting included the election of officers for 2026, affirming the current Chair and Vice Chair. Public communications were addressed and subsequently closed. The consent agenda, including previous meeting minutes and the revised teleconferencing policy, was approved. The financial report for December 2025 highlighted that the organization was beating its budget by $1.2 million year-to-date, largely due to being under budget in employment/labor and reduced operating expenses. A major discussion point involved resolving the landfill-to-gas energy plant outage that occurred in December, which required engagement with political representatives to secure assistance from PG&E for remedy. Future planning involved procuring infrastructure for landfill capacity expansion (Modules 8 and 9) to ensure 100 years of landfill life, and completing the cover aerated static pile project for composting to mitigate odor and emissions. Discussions also covered reviewing the term sheet with Monterey Onewater for power dispersal and long-term capital expenditure planning. A presentation recognized recipients of the SP 1383 Edible Food Recovery Grants, emphasizing the importance of recovering edible food that is safe for consumption to feed people instead of sending it to landfills.

The Finance Committee meeting addressed the election of the committee chair and vice chair, resulting in new appointments. A significant discussion focused on amending the purchasing policy to enhance transparency, streamline processes, and redefine spending thresholds, including distinctions between formal and informal procurement methods based on dollar amounts. Board members provided detailed feedback on language surrounding the requirement for three informal bids versus what is 'possible' under specific circumstances, such as specialized services or limited vendor availability. The discussion also touched upon adding environmental viewpoints and granting the General Manager more delegated authority for routine purchases under the new policy structure.

The meeting began with a roll call and recognition of a board member's return. Key discussion items included the approval of a new limited-term classification for a Financial Analyst, which required an associated pay schedule. The board also addressed the fiscal year 2025-2026 economic hardship discretionary bonus for eligible employees earning $35 per hour or less, intended to mitigate financial strain from the rising cost of living. Furthermore, the board authorized a short-term power purchase agreement with Central Coast Community Energy and the termination of an existing agreement with Three Phases Renewables, as part of a strategic planning process regarding the optimal use of landfill gas.

The Personnel Committee meeting focused on two main agenda items. First, the minutes from the June 7th Personnel Committee meeting were approved. Second, the committee discussed the white paper recommendation concerning the history of the waste industry in California and the evolution of the district's current state, including critical decisions made by the board regarding volume management and external agency volume. The discussion involved seeking committee feedback to finalize a draft paper for the October meeting. Additionally, an informational report was provided on the results of the recent employee pulse survey, comparing findings to a 2018 survey. The survey indicated general employee satisfaction and pride, with notable improvements in teamwork, accountability, and recognition since 2018, attributed in part to revised personnel policies, an revamped employee recognition program, and supervisor training.